Saturday, July 16, 2022 2:00 AM Local Time
Espen Jorstad Holds Commanding Lead Over Adrian Attenborough and Michael Duek in Pursuit of WSOP Main Event Title
The 2022 World Series of Poker in its new home at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas is one step closer to crowning a new World Champion. Norway's Espen Jorstad started Day 8 with the most chips and will return as the commanding chipleader when the hunt in the pinnacle live poker event of the year concludes on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Jorstad has two times as many chips as Adrian Attenborough while Michael Duek from Argentina completes an international line-up for the final trio.
Out of a field of 8,663 entries in the second largest WSOP Main Event in history, all three finalists have locked up a large slice of the $80,782,475 prize pool and earn at least $4 million for their efforts. Significant pay jumps await as the runner-up will collect $6 million, and the new world champion walks away with the top prize of $10 million.
Jorstad carefully picked his spots for most of the day once the action resumed with ten contenders still in the mix and ended the night with 298,000,000. That's almost spot on twice as many chips as Attenborough (149,800,000), while Duek, the shortest stack (72,100,000), still has 24 big blinds at his disposal.
Seat Assignments for the Final Day
Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
1 | Adrian Attenborough | Australia | 149,800,000 | 50 |
2 | Michael Duek | Argentina | 72,100,000 | 24 |
3 | Espen Jorstad | Norway | 298,000,000 | 99 |
There will be 25:20 minutes left in Level 42 at blinds of 1,500,000/3,000,000 and a big blind ante of 3,000,000, Michael Duek will be on the button.
"I feel I played pretty good," chipleader Jorstad said with a chuckle. "I had a couple of spots where I could have played differently, but that's how it is every day. I made no big mistakes. I mean, I didn't play flawlessly, but no one ever does," the Norwegian clarified and added, "I think I played pretty much as good as I could."
For Attenborough, it was certainly a roller-coaster day as the Aussie was on the brink of elimination and last in chips after 60 hands, only to soar to the top of the leaderboard some 50 hands later.
"I was feeling really out of it at the start of the final table," he told PokerNews. "I just thought I was going to get ninth after things didn't go my way. I just thought to myself 'Oh it's not my time' but then I spun it up and suddenly I was like 'Oh, it's my time! I made a few mistakes along the way, but I ran really good."
Attenborough is looking to become the second-ever Australian since Joe Hachem won the WSOP Main Event. He says it's a surreal experience to even be at the final table.
"I definitely don't deserve to be here, but I'm just lucky to have made it this far."
At one point, Attenborough went on break with just six blinds, but he said a level head kept him composed and ready to grind.
"I can only play the cards I got dealt in front of me. I was already coming into today happy if I got tenth. I ran so good to even be here, so I'm here to play. You don't really have a chance to play for $10,000,000, so I'll be as strict as possible. I'm going to be ready to play. I'm going to be here to win."
While Duek may be last in chips when the action resumes, his rail may very well be the loudest as he was supported by boisterous chants throughout the contest in the Thunderdome. Born in Argentina and residing in Florida, more friends and family flew in for this special moment, and the evidence could be heard throughout the entire Bally's Event Center.
"I am here with friends, immediate family, friends I haven't seen in forever, friends I met playing poker and random poker cheering me on. It's been great."
The plan for the bottom stack is rather easy as he will soon be in push-or-fold mode in short-handed play and an increase in blinds on the horizon. He also comes into the final day full of confidence. Having fought back from a short stack on numerous occasions in the late stages, Duek rides on a heater after he finished in third place in Event #69: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed Championship less than two weeks ago.
"I am going to try and get some rest, spend time with friends and family, and come out here and do what I do. I am going to try and play as good as I can against these two guys. They're both very good players to keep an eye out for."
Action of the Penultimate Day
The action recommenced with the unofficial final table of ten, but that was soon reduced by one. Recent birthday boy Asher Conniff open-jammed his last 15 big blinds with pocket tens and was looked up by Duek with ace-king. What started as a rather ordinary coin flip let the rails on the main feature table explode when Duek flopped quads in one of the most remarkable runouts in WSOP Main Event history.
Nearly 100 hands followed with numerous all-in showdowns, but the field remained nine-handed nonetheless. That changed when the joint chipleader at the start of the day, Matthew Su, saw his pair of eights crushed by the pocket kings of fellow short-stack Philippe Souki.
It was then Souki who would become the next final table casualty in cruel fashion. He moved all in with aces and was called by the queen-jack suited held by Matija Dobric. Souki made a set on the flop but the Croatian sent Souki to the rail after making Broadway on the turn. Souki was unable to fill up on the river and bowed out in eighth place.
Half an hour later, John Eames slow-played aces and got it in against the ace-king suited of Aaron Duczak, who bricked his nut flush draw to be left with fumes. His last few blinds vanished one hand later when Duek notched up his second elimination of the day.
One hour later, it was all over for Day 6 chipleader Jeffrey Farnes. He had slipped to the bottom of the leaderboard and flat-called a raise with pocket deuces to then shove a six-high flop. Eames called with nine-eight suited for a gutshot straight flush draw and instead spiked running treys to deal the final blow with nine-high like a Brit.
Jorstad then pulled into the top spot and cemented his lead in a big flip against Dobric when ace-queen got there to beat pocket sixes. With one more elimination or the end of the level as the target set for the remainder of the night, the Norwegian lost and restored his comfortable lead before also notching up the final elimination.
As one of the two short stacks, Eames three-bet jammed for 24 big blinds with ace-jack and was snap-called by Jorstad with pocket kings. One jack on the board was not enough for the cash game player from the UK, and Eames had to settle for a consolation prize of $3 million, concluding Day 8 on the spot.
The final three players will return at 2 p.m. local time on July 16th when a new world champion is crowned. Once again, the action will be broadcast on the PokerGO platform, and all PokerNews updates will be based on the delay of the live stream.
Results on Day 8 and Remaining Payouts
Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
1 | | | $10,000,000 |
2 | | | $6,000,000 |
3 | | | $4,000,000 |
4 | John Eames | United Kingdom | $3,000,000 |
5 | Matija Dobric | Croatia | $2,250,000 |
6 | Jeffrey Farnes | United States | $1,750,000 |
7 | Aaron Duczak | Canada | $1,350,000 |
8 | Philippe Souki | United Kingdom | $1,075,000 |
9 | Matthew Su | United States | $850,675 |
10 | Asher Conniff | United States | $675,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:48 AM Local Time
John Eames Eliminated in 4th Place ($3,000,000)
Hand #186: Espen Jorstad raised to 6,000,000 as the first player to act. John Eames jammed it in for 72,000,000 in the big blind and was snap-called by the chipleader.
John Eames:
Espen Jorstad:
The flop gave Eames more outs, but he bricked the turn and river. Eames' run ended in fourth place as he collected a payday of $3,000,000 and that also ended Day 8 with Jorstad as the commanding chipleader.
Espen Jorstad | 298,000,000 | 76,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 149,800,000 | 6,000,000 |
Michael Duek | 72,100,000 | -7,500,000 |
John Eames | 0 | -75,000,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:46 AM Local Time
Hands #180-185: Jorstad Extands His Lead
Hand #180: Espen Jorstad limped in from the small blind with and Adrian Attenborough checked in the big blind with . The flop brought a min-bet by Jorstad and Attenborough sent his cards into the muck.
Hand #181: A button raise to 6,000,000 by Jorstad with won the blinds and big blind ante.
Hand #182: Jorstad raised to 6,000,000 with as the first player to act, scooping the pot uncontested once more.
Hand #183: Michael Duek made it 6,500,000 to go from the button with . Jorstad called from the big blind with and the flop brought . The check by Jorstad triggered a bet worth 6,000,000 by Duek and that won the pot right there.
Hand #184: John Eames opened to 6,000,000 on the button with , picking up a call by Attenborough in the big blind with . The flop brought no betting action and was swiftly followed by the on the turn. Attenborough led for 4,100,000 and Eames let go.
Hand #185: Adrian Attenborough limped in the small blind and Michael Duek called. The flop was and Duek folded to a continuation bet from Attenborough.
Espen Jorstad | 221,500,000 | 10,000,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 143,800,000 | 0 |
Michael Duek | 79,600,000 | 3,500,000 |
John Eames | 75,000,000 | -13,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:35 AM Local Time
Hands #175-179: Jorstad Back Into Comfortable Lead
Hand #175: Michael Duek made it 6,500,000 to go on the button with and earned a call from Espen Jorstad in the big blind from . The flop fell and Jorstad checked, Duek continued for 3,000,000 and shut down his opponent right away.
Hand #176: Duek raised it up to 6,500,000 with and Adrian Attenborough came along in the big blind with . The flop was checked through to the turn and Attenborough checked again. Another check by Duek led to the river and Attenborough won the pot after both players checked.
Hand #177: Jorstad opened to 6,500,000 on the button and Duek called out of the big blind, as they headed to the flop. Duek opted for a bet worth 8,000,000 and Jorstad stuck around to the turn. A larger bet worth 21,000 by Duek followed and Jorstad called to see the on the river.
Nearly one minute passed before Duek checked and Jorstad checked back for the former to reveal the . Jorstad had that beat with the and recovered most of his previous losses.
Hand #178: Attenborough on the button raised to 6,000,000 with and John Eames called in the big blind with . On a flop, Eames check-folded when Attenborough continued for 3,000,000.
Hand #179: Eames limped in from the small blind and Jorstad checked to the flop. Both quickly checked to the turn and Eames' bet worth 7,500,000 earned a call from Jorstad. The followed on the river and Eames now checked.
Jorstad checked back and Eames flashed the while Jorstad won the pot with the .
Espen Jorstad | 211,500,000 | 39,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 143,800,000 | 17,000,000 |
John Eames | 88,500,000 | -21,000,000 |
Michael Duek | 76,100,000 | -35,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:18 AM Local Time
Hands #169-174: Attenborough Pounces on Eames and Chipleader Jorstad
Hand #169: John Eames made it 6,000,000 to go as the first player to act with the and Espen Jorstad three-bet to 16,500,000 in the cutoff with the . Eames then four-bet jammed for 85,000,000 and Jorstad folded.
Hand #170: Adrian Attenborough opened to 6,000,000 on the button with for Eames to defend the big blind with and the flop brought . Eames check-called a min-bet worth 3,000,000 and checked again the on the turn. Attenborough now bet 18,000,000 and the Brit got out of the way.
Hand #171: Michael Duek raised to 6,500,000 with the on the button for Eames to flat-call in the small blind. On the flop, Eames elected to check-call a continuation bet worth 6,000,000 and then checked on the turn. Duek checked it back this time and the followed on the river. Both checked and Eames won the pot with the for a superior pair.
Hand #172: Jorstad limped in the small blind for Attenborough to raise it up to 10,500,000 with the . The fold by Jorstad followed and the Aussie raked in the pot.
Hand #173: Jorstad min-raised the button to 6,000,000 with the and Attenborough three-bet to 24,000,000 with the in the small blind, forcing another fold from Jorstad.
Hand #174: Attenborough raised the button to 6,000,000 with and collected the blinds and big blind ante.
Espen Jorstad | 172,000,000 | -31,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 126,800,000 | 28,500,000 |
Michael Duek | 111,600,000 | -27,500,000 |
John Eames | 109,500,000 | 24,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:04 AM Local Time
Matija Dobric Eliminated in 5th Place ($2,250,000)
Hand #168: Matija Dobric raised to 6,000,000 as the first player to act and Espen Jorstad took the better part of two minutes before three-betting to 21,000,000 in the small blind. The four-bet shove of Dobric came within a minute, and Jorstad asked for an exact count before he made the call.
Both sides of the rail went on their feet as the cards were revealed.
Matija Dobric:
Espen Jorstad:
The flop propelled Jorstad into the lead and that didn't change on the turn either. Another blank followed on the river and that sent Dobric to the rail in fifth place while Jorstad soared to the top of the leaderboard.
Dobric's rail kept chanting the first name of the Croatian for several moments before their favorite headed to the bustout interview.
Espen Jorstad | 203,500,000 | 76,100,000 |
Matija Dobric | 0 | -70,100,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:58 AM Local Time
Hands #165-167: Back Comes Dobric; Wins Three in a Row
Hand #165: Matija Dobric jammed out of the small blind for 38,600,000 with and chip leader Michael Duek in the big blind asked for an exact count with . No call followed and the pot was pushed to the Croatian, which was lauded by his rail with "Matija, Matija" chants.
Hand #166: Espen Jorstad opened the action with a raise to 6,000,000 with and Dobric jammed again, this time for 44,600,000 on the button with . While staring towards the other end of the table behind his sunglasses, Jorstad needed around a minute before he sent the cards into the muck.
Hand #167: Dobric min-raised to 6,000,000 in the cutoff with and was called by John Eames in the small blind with . The flop was checked by Eames and Dobric made it 4,000,000 to go. No call by Eames followed thereafter and Dobric collected the third pot in a row.
Michael Duek | 139,100,000 | -7,500,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 127,400,000 | -12,000,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 98,300,000 | 0 |
John Eames | 85,000,000 | -13,500,000 |
Matija Dobric | 70,100,000 | 31,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:51 AM Local Time
Hands #162-164: Dobric Tries Taking It To The Streets
Hand #162: Michael Duek raised to 6,500,000 from the button with . Espen Jorstad three-bet to 29,000,000 from the big blind with . Duek folded.
Hand #163: John Eames raised to 6,000,000 with pocket fives and Adrian Attenborough defended his big blind with . The flop came and Attenborough checked. Eames bet 4,500,000 and Attenborough called.
The turn was the and both players checked. The completed the board. Attenborough bet 6,500,000 and Eames folded.
Hand #164: John Eames raised to 6,000,000 with and Matija Dobric defended his big blind . The flop was and Dobric checked. Eames continued for 4,000,000 and Dobric promptly folded.
Michael Duek | 146,600,000 | -6,500,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 139,400,000 | 6,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 98,300,000 | 10,500,000 |
Matija Dobric | 38,600,000 | -9,000,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:47 AM Local Time
Not Su's Day: From Chip Leader to Out in 9th Place
Matthew Su entered the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on Friday with big dreams and a big stack. But he ran into some misfortune and was eliminated in ninth place.
The deep run paid out $850,675, his only live tournament score of any significance. Still, the high-stakes cash game player told PokerNews in his postgame interview that he was "disappointed" to have been just the second player out at the final table.
read the full story on pokernews.com!
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:41 AM Local Time
Hands #158-161: Dobric Down to 15 Big Blinds
Hand #158: Espen Jorstad limped in the small blind with and Adrian Attenborough checked the big blind with . The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the and both players checked.
The river was the and Jorstad bet 3,000,000. Attenborough called and the pair chopped the pot with a pair of nines each.
Hand #159: John Eames raised to 6,000,000 from the cutoff with and Adrian Attenborough three-bet to 22,500,000 from the small blind with . Eames folded.
Hand #160: Matija Dobric limped in the small blind with . Michael Duek picked up in the big blind and moved all in. Dobric folded.
Hand #161: Matija Dobric shoved from the button with and got it through.
Michael Duek | 153,100,000 | 1,500,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 132,900,000 | 1,500,000 |
John Eames | 98,500,000 | -12,000,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 87,800,000 | 10,500,000 |
Matija Dobric | 47,600,000 | -1,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:34 AM Local Time
Hands #154-157: Duek's Rivered Pair Bests Attenborough
Hand #154: Adrian Attenborough limped in the small blind with and Matija Dobric three-bet all in for 44,600,000 from the big blind with . Attenborough folded.
Hand #155: Adrian Attenborough limped on the button and Michael Duek checked the big blind. The flop was . Both players checked and the came on the turn.
Duek check-called 7,500,000 from Attenborough and the river was the . Both players checked and Attenborough showed for a pair of nines. Duek tabled for a rivered pair of kings and took down the pot.
Hand #156: John Eames received a walk. Hand not shown
Hand #157: John Eames limped in the small blind with and Espen Jorstad checked the big blind with . The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the and Eames bet 4,000,000. Jorstad folded.
Michael Duek | 151,600,000 | 27,000,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 131,400,000 | -6,000,000 |
John Eames | 110,500,000 | 7,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 77,300,000 | -30,000,000 |
Matija Dobric | 49,100,000 | 1,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:27 AM Local Time
Twitter Reacts to Duek's Nines Fold (Hand #151)
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:24 AM Local Time
Hands #150-153: Two Pots for Jorstad Sees Him Take Over Chip Lead
Hand #150: John Eames raised to 6,000,000 with and Epsen Jorstad three-bet to 17,000,000 from the next position with . Michael Duek folded in the big blind. Eames also folded and Jorstad took down the pot.
Hand #151: Espen Jorstad raised to 6,000,000 with and Adrian Attenborough called in the cutoff with . Michael Duek folded in the small blind and the flop came . It checked to the turn. Jorstad bet 16,000,000 and Attenborough folded.
Hand #152: Michael Duek held and raised to 6,500,000 and took down the pot.
Hand #153: Michael Duek raised to 6,500,000 with and Adrian Attenborough defended his big blind with . The flop was and Attenborough check-called 5,000,000.
They checked the turn and the river was the . Both players checked again and Attenborough won the pot.
Espen Jorstad | 137,400,000 | 19,500,000 |
Michael Duek | 124,600,000 | -11,500,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 107,300,000 | 7,000,000 |
John Eames | 103,000,000 | -13,500,000 |
Matija Dobric | 47,600,000 | -1,500,000 |
Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:14 AM Local Time
Level 42 started
Level: 42
Blinds: 1,500,000/3,000,000
Ante: 3,000,000
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:59 PM Local Time
Updated Counts on the Break for the Final Five
The blinds will increase to 1,500,000-3,000,000 and a big blind ante of 3,000,000. Only Matija Dobric has skidded below 20 big blinds as all other contenders are somewhat closely bunched together.
Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
2 | Adrian Attenborough | Australia | 100,300,000 | 33 |
3 | Matija Dobric | Croatia | 49,100,000 | 16 |
4 | Michael Duek | Argentina | 136,100,000 | 45 |
6 | John Eames | United Kingdom | 116,500,000 | 39 |
9 | Espen Jorstad | Norway | 117,900,000 | 39 |
Michael Duek | 136,100,000 | 0 |
Espen Jorstad | 117,900,000 | 0 |
John Eames | 116,500,000 | 0 |
Adrian Attenborough | 100,300,000 | 0 |
Matija Dobric | 49,100,000 | -100,000 |
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:53 PM Local Time
Hands #148-149: Jorstad Wins Last Two Pots Before the Break
Hand #148: Espen Jorstad limped in the small blind with the and Adrian Attenborough checked from the big blind with the . The flop was checked and the fell on the turn. Jorstad bet 6,000,000 and earned a call from Attenborough as they headed to the river.
Jorstad then bet 15,000,000 and sent the Aussie into the tank.
Ultimately, Attenborough folded and Jorstad claimed the pot to pull ahead of Attenborough on the leaderboard.
Hand #149: John Eames made it 5,000,000 to go in the cutoff with the and earned a flat-call from Jorstad on the button holding the . The flop brought and Eames checked it over to the Norwegian, who bet 4,300,000 and won the pot uncontested.
That concluded the next two hour session of the final table and the last five contenders headed into a scheduled 20-minute break.
Michael Duek | 136,100,000 | 5,000,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 117,900,000 | 14,700,000 |
John Eames | 116,500,000 | -5,000,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 100,300,000 | -12,300,000 |
Matija Dobric | 49,200,000 | -5,000,000 |
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:45 PM Local Time
Jeffrey Farnes Eliminated in 6th Place ($1,750,000)
Hand #147: John Eames raised on the button to 5,000,000. Jeffrey Farnes called in the small blind. Espen Jorstad also called in the big blind and the flop was .
Farnes open-shoved for 26,300,000. Jorstad folded and Eames called.
Jeffrey Farnes:
John Eames:
With a gutshot straight flush draw, Eames had a lot of outs to send Farnes to the rail. The turn was the and Eames had twenty two outs. He got there in the most unlikely way as the river saw Farnes' two pair counterfeited and he was eliminated in sixth place for $1,750,000.
John Eames | 121,500,000 | 32,500,000 |
Jeffrey Farnes | 0 | -30,000,000 |
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:42 PM Local Time
Hands #145-146: A Shove and a Raise
Hand #145: Jeffrey Farnes's shove from under the gun for 30,000,000 got through with the .
Hand #146: Michael Duek raised to 5,500,000 from the button with the and took down the pot unopposed.
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:39 PM Local Time
Hands #142-144: Duek Takes the Lead From Attenborough
Hand #142: Espen Jorstad limped in the small blind with the and Adrian Attenborough raised to 9,000,000 in the big blind holding the , which forced a fold from Jorstad.
Hand #143: Jeffrey Farnes with the limped in from the cutoff and chip leader Attenborough then jammed out of the small blind with the . Matija Dobric got out of the way in the big blind and Farnes took more than a minute before coming to the same conclusion.
Hand #144: Attenborough min-raised the button to 5,000,000 with the and Michael Duek defended the big blind with the . The flop was checked by Duek and Attenborough checked behind. After the turn, Duek checked again and that led to a bet worth 9,000,000 by Attenborough.
Duek opted for a check-raise to 25,000,000 and Attenborough called. The fell on the river and provided a four-card straight on the board. After waiting for nearly one and a half minutes, Duek moved all-in and Attenborough snap-folded to concede the pot to the Argentinian.
Michael Duek | 131,100,000 | 31,300,000 |
Adrian Attenborough | 112,600,000 | -20,000,000 |
Espen Jorstad | 103,200,000 | -2,500,000 |
John Eames | 89,000,000 | -1,200,000 |
Matija Dobric | 54,200,000 | -6,200,000 |
Jeffrey Farnes | 30,000,000 | -2,500,000 |
Friday, July 15, 2022 11:34 PM Local Time
2022 WSOP Hands of the Week: Quads, Quads, Quads, Quads!
PokerNews is known throughout the world for our industry-leading live updates for both live and online events. In fact, right now we're offering various updates right here.
Over the years, we've captured memorable hands, many of which have become a part of poker history. In this column, we will bring you some of the biggest four-of-a-kind hands as reported in the PokerNews Live Updates from the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP).
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Click here to see the hands!